Mental Games

Here are some great drills and mental “games” you can use. This page will grow over time so check back often. If you’re a NitroMind Golf member you’ll get access to much more in depth mental golf training and practical, fun games as well that all combine to take your game to new levels of performance.

Blindfold Drill

If you’ve read through this site you’ll know that Jayson – Coach Nitro – teaches blind golfers and attends the major events for blind golf around the world. This gives him a unique perspective on the game! Imagine, you can’t see and have to figure a way to get the club on the ball. No easy task! Right now you take your sight for granted. But these blind golfers rely on their mental abilities and much more feel and other avenues to tap their skills, and they shoot some amazing scores, too!

Here’s a game you should play at least once a month and at the range for 10 balls or so. It will improve so many areas of your swing and your game. Some things will occur to you weeks later as you apply this and other games we’ll share.

Driving Range:

Once you’re warmed up and have hit a few balls, close your eyes. Make some practice swings and focus in on your balance. Imagine what your swing would look like in front of a mirror.

Now step to the ball and make a swing keeping your eyes closed. Do not open your eyes until the end of your follow through. Guess what direction the ball went BEFORE you open your eyes. Notice how you MUST focus on balance in order to make a decent swing?

Repeat this until you find you’re executing your swing and making solid contact AND they are going where you thought they would go.

Summary

Take practice swings with eyes closed focusing on balance

Step to the ball and make a swing with eyes closed

Complete entire swing and finish in balance with eyes still closed

Imagine where the ball went BEFORE opening your eyes

Hit several with a definite target in mind and see how close you get to that target

This drill teaches balance faster than almost anything else you’ll try. And it also teaches you tempo, rhythm and feel.

TIP: If during a round you feel your swing is getting little off and/or you’re not “feeling it today” while playing, make practice swings with your eyes closed. Recall that balance, rhythm and feel you know you have for your swing. This restores your connection with your natural feel and your game.

Putting

Definitely use this drill putting as well. Make practice putts with your else closed, step into the ball and close your eyes again and make your stroke. Before you open your eyes make sure you guess where the ball missed. Was it right or left? Really develop your feel with this drill and watch your putting improve!

Practice putts with eyes closed

Step to the ball and close eyes before your stroke

Make the putt and finish nice and still with a motionless head

Guess where the ball missed, was it left or right.

Try different distances and really focus on holing them

Try this for lagg putts and you’ll feel like you’re cheating when you open your eyes

Golf Course

Play a round of golf with a blindfold. George Knudson, one of Canada’s most successful golfers of the past, played a round blindfolded and shot 69! Yes, including putting, too.

If you don’t want to physically blindfold yourself (though we recommend you do) make sure to commit to closing your eyes throughout your swing right until a balanced finish.

Same with putting. Do it just like you practiced. Go ahead and do your pre shot routine as usual then make sure your eyes are closed during the actual putt. Make sure to imagine where it went, left or right, BEFORE you open your eyes. This info is invaluable as you move through the round.

TIP: When you hole a putt, and you will, keep your eyes closed after you hear it roll in the cup. Just for a second or two and feel the memory of that stroke. Notice that feeling and smile inside knowing you holed the putt! Seriously, take the few seconds to do this and you’ll be amazed at how good your putting starts getting with your eyes closed.

Then when you play normal golf with eyes wide open you’ll feel like you’re cheating!

Commit to these drills and let us know how things go. We love hearing how players put things to use and enjoy any feedback. We are always learning and sometimes something you share can stimulate new ideas and more of these mental games that help you and others go low!